The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to lack of data about the number of coroners, medical examiners, or death investigators whose survivors might be eligible for financial assistance under the provisions of the bill.
The bill would add certain coroners, medical examiners, and death investigator to the list of individuals eligible for benefits under Chapter 615 of the Government Code. This statute provides financial assistance to eligible survivors of certain individuals who died as a result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty. The bill would also add coroners, medical examiners, and death investigator to the list of individuals eligible to reimbursement from their employer for reasonable medical expenses for treatment after exposure to prevent certain diseases under Chapter 607 of the Government Code.
The bill would apply to a claim for benefits or compensation pending on or filed on or after the effective date of the Act, which takes effect September 1, 2025.
The lump sum amount provided to eligible survivors for a death occurring in fiscal year 2025 is $611,135, appropriated out of General Revenue Funds. The lump sum amount is adjusted each year by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
The cost of the bill cannot be determined due to the lack of data about the number of individuals whose survivors might be affected by the provisions of the bill.
According to the State Office of Risk Management, the bill would not affect the state's workers' compensation program.
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time due to unknown medical expenses incurred by counties for treatment after exposure to prevent certain diseases under Chapter 607 of the Government Code.